Reversing mechanism



L-A. DIENNER.

REVERSING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FIILE'D MAR. 13. 191.9.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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.l. A. DIENNER.

REVERSING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR I3. 1919.

1 ,409,53 1 Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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JOHN A. nrnnnnn, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, T0 IWALTERYJ. common, or I CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. V V

REVERSING MECHANISM.

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

' Be it known that I, JOHN A. DIENNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Reversing Mechanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to reversing mechanisms for automatically reversing the direc tion of rotationof a driven member atregular intervals, drivenby a driving shaft operating continuously in one direction.

Reversing mechanisms of this general description are used in connection with wash ing machines, churns, and the'like.

My improved reversing mechanism is primarily'adapted for use in connection with washing machines, wherein the washing drum is rotated a number of times in one Devices of this general character have heretofore been known but the construction of the same has been complicate and diflicult both because of the machining operations re- I quired and the cost of assembly.

My invention aims to' provide a reversing mechanism of the simplest character consist ent with strength and durability.

In accordance with the teachings of my in vention I provide a pair of'spaced bevel pinions loosely mounted upon the driving shaft and constantlyin mesh with a bevelgear connected to rotate 111111118011 with the driven member; clutching means of'simple and durable construction having-a swinging lever mounted in the driving shaft and pro vided with engaging portions guided in ways in the shaft, the lever being periodically acv j Specification of Lettersratent. Patented M 1 4 Application filed March 12, i

1922. 1919. Serial No. 282,370.' r

tuated upon the rotation of thisbevel gear to alternately clutch first' one and then the other of the spaced bevel pinions tothe driv-' 111g shaft. Power is thereby alternately transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven member first through one bevel p n on and then through the other bevel pinion, rotating" the bevel gear and consequently the driven member a number ;of

times in one direction and then a'number of r times in the opposite direction.

In order that those skilled in the art may be fully acquainted with the nature and.

scope of my invention I shall 'describe' a specific embodiment of the invention in con-- nection 'with the accompanying drawings which form apart of the present 'specifica ti'on, and 'wherein:

Figure 1 is a mechanism embodying myfinvention;

Figure 2 is'a vertical sectional view taken on the line2-2 of Figure'l; Y Figure 3 is an isometric'view. of the clutch lever which is mounted in the'jdriving shaft;- Figure v4 is a'view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification; 1

Figure 5 is a front the same;

' Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view Showing a further modification; and i Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view'taken' on the line'7-7 of igure 6.

Referring first .to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the drawings; Ihave provided forr'eversing the V90 and without in any direction of rotation of the shaft 1 at regular intervals, automatically way effecting therotation: of the driving shaft 2, which "driving shaft 2 is adapted for operating continuously in one direction.

,A bevel gear 3 is splined or otherwise suitably fired upon theend of the shaft 1.

its will be hereinafter more fully explained, the bevel gear 3 and consequently the shaft 1, isdriven for a definite number of revolutions in one direction and then a defimte number of revolutions in the opposite direction. In machines wherein it is" desirable that the' direction 'of rotation of a driven member be such as for example, in washing machines, in connection with which'myinvention is primarily adapted, the washing vdrum is'positioned on'or otherwiseconnected to rotate.

in unison with thedriven shaft 1.

The driving shaft 2, Wlliliis adapted to plan viewfof. a reversing? elevational: View 'of periodically reversed, 5

be driven continuously in one direction as by means of a suitable motor, bears two loosely mounted bevel pinions l and 5, which bevel pinions mesh with the bevel gear 3 at all times. A spacing sleeve (3 is provided on the driving shaft 2 between the bevel pinions 1 and 5 for maintaining th proper spaced relation of thesepinions. The spacing sleeve 6 is immaterial in so far as my invention is concerned, and might be readily dispensed with by the provision of any other suitable means for holding the bevel pinions 4c and 5 in place, such as suitable pins fixed in the shaft 2 and projecting radially therefrom adjacent the faces of the bevel pinions l and These bevel pinions 1 and 5, which are loosely mounted upon the driving shaft 2, areadapted to be alternately clutched thereto; power being thereby transmitted intermittently from the driving shaft 2 to the shaft 1 through one and then through the other of these pinions.

. This alternate clutching of the pinions 1 and 5 to the driving shaft 2 is accomplished by means of .a clutch lever 7 which clutch lever 7 is pivotally mounted in an axial slot 8 provided through the driving shaft 2 intermediate the spaced pinionse and 5. In the event that a spacing sleeve 6 is employed, this sleeve is provided with diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 9-9 and 10, which slots register with the axial slot 8 provided through the driving shaft 2 in order that the lugs 11 and 12 extending racially from the opposite ends respectively of the clutch lever 7 may be alternately projected from the shaft 2. The clutch lever 7 is pivotally mounted in the driving shaft 2 upon a transverse pin The transverse pin 13 extends diametrically through the spacing sleeve (3, driving shaft and clutch lever 7, its opposite ends being prefe ably headed, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 to prevent displacement thereof. This pin 13 not only forms a fulcrum. about which the clutch lever '7 is adapted to be swung as will be. hereinafter described, but in the event that a spacing sleeve 6 is employed, serves to effectively align such sleeve upon the shaft 2, preventing relative axial or circumferential movement of the sleeve 6 with respect to the shaft 2.

The lugs 11 and 12, which extend radially from the opposite ends of the'clutch lever T are adapted to engage pins 1 1 and 15 respectively, carried upon the inner opposed faces of the bevel pinions l and 5 respectively. The pins 11 and 15 are preferably formed integral with the inner 0pposed faces of the pinions l and 5 and project inwardly therefrom so as to be in the path of rotation of the particular lug 11 or 12 projecting radially from the driving shaft 2. Obviously. as shown in Figure 2, due to the pivotal mounting of the clutch lever 7, only, one of the lugs 11 or 12 will project from the shaft 2 in position to engage its co-operating pin 14: or 15 at a time.

In Figures 1 and 2 the lug 12 extending "0 from the clutch lever 7 is shown projecting radially from the shaft 2, being in contact with the pin 15 carried by the bevel pinion 5. Assuming that the direction of rotation of the driving shaft 2 is as indicated by 7 the arrow A, this engagement of the lug 12 with the pin 15 in effect clutches or splines the bevel pinion 5 to the driving shaft 2, th'e bevel pinion 5 being thereby rotated unitarily with the shaft 2. Power is thus trans mitted from the driving shaft 2 to the driven shaft 1,'-through the bevel pinion 5 and the bevel gear 3,driving the shaft 1 in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow B. The bevel pinion l revolves idly in mesh with the bevel gear 3 at this time.

After the driven shaft 1 has been revolved a predetermined number of times in the di rection indicated by th arrow B, the clutch lever 7 is automatically swung about its pivot 13, causing the lug 12 to disengage the pin 15 and the lug 11 to be projected from the shaft 2 into position to engage the pin 14 during rotation of the shaft 2. Power will thereupon be transmitted from the drivingshaft 2 to the driven shaft 1 through the bevel pinion 4t and the bevel gear 3, the direction of rotation of the shaft 1 being opposite to that indicated by the arrow B. The bevel pinion 5 revolves idly in mesh with the bevel gear 3 at this time. p

The swinging of the clutch lever T about its pivot 13 is accomplished automatically by means of a shifter post 16 projecting inwardly from the bevel gear 3. Assuming 105 thatpower is being transmitted from the shaft 2 to the shaft 1 by way-of the bevel pinionfi, the direction of rotation of the shifter post 16, about the axis of the shaft 1 will be as indicated by the arrow B. After .11 a predetermined number of revolutions'of the shaft 1 in this direction, the shifter post 16 is adapted to engage a lug 17 which hip; 17 is carried by the. clutchlever 7 ant. ar ranged :to rotate in the path of rotation of the shifter post 16. The clutch lever 7 will thereupon be swung about its pivot 13 and the shaft 1 will thereafter be driven through the bevel pinion t for a predetermined number of revolutions, whereupon the shifter 12 Cir post 16 will engage the lug 18 carried by the opposite end of the clutch lever 7. causing the lug 11 to disengage the pin 14: and the lug 12 mice projected from the shaft 2 into position to engage the pin 15 during rotation 1 of 'the shaft .2. I p I v V The engagement of the shifter post 16;

with either of the lugs 17 or 18 begins below or above the horizontal axis of the shaft 1;

that is the contact'begins above or below ger 20, this spring normally forcing the plunger against the clutch lever 7. l A pair of recessed or'countersunk portlons are provided in the clutch lever 7 for receiving the ball plunger 20; the ball plunger 20 cooperating with one recess orcountersunk portion during one position of the clutch lever 7, and withtheother recess or countersunk portion during the other position of the clutch lever 7. The sleeve 6 is obviously not necessary to maintain the spring 21 in the radialbore provided in the shaft 2, as a small plug or cap or the like would dov equally as well. 7

In the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5 the bevel pinions 4; and 5 are adapted to be clutched to the driving shaft 25by the co-operation of clutch pins 26 and 27- with the pins 14' and 15 respectively projecting inwardly from the opposed facesof the pinions 4 and 5. The clutch pins 26 and 27' are arranged in suitable diametrieal bores provided'in the drivingshaft ii adjacentvthe inner faces of the bevel 'pi'nionseand 5, a:

spacing sleeve or any other suitable means being employed for holdingthe bevel pinions 1 and 5 in place. annular groove is provided adjacent one end of each of the clutch pins 26 and 27, the reduced neck portions provided by these annular grooves e11 gaging in the slotted ends 28 and 29 -lrespectively, of apivoted yoke member 30. The diametrica'l bores provided in the driving shaft 25 for the clutch pins 26 and shaft at a slight angle as shown in Figure 4 in order that when either of the pins 2601' 27 is projected into the position of the pin 27 (Figure 4:) either the pin 14 or the pin 15 will be engaged thereby and the bevel pinion carrying such pin Willbe clutched to the shaft 25. Movement of the pin 26 or the pin 27 as the case may be into the position. of the pin 26 by moving the pin through the shaft 25 at a slight angle, causes'the end'of the pin connected with the yoke member 30 r to clear the pins 1 1 or 15 duringrotation of the driving shaft'2. i

The yoke member'30 is provided with a pair of parallelextending portions 31'- and '32,which embrace the driving shaft 25. A transverse .pin 33 extends diametrically through the parallel extending portions 31 and of the vokemember 30 and through the driving shaft 25, thereby pivotally 27 are not strictly diametrical, but extend through the 'lever3-8 are adapted-to co-operate with the mounting the yoke member 30 upon the-drivingl' shaft25. I w a he swinging of the yoke member 30 about its pivot=33 is accomplished automatically by, means of the shifterpost 16 projectinginwardly from the beveled gear 3 substantially as described in connection with Figures 1, 2 r and 3. Obviously, due to thepivotal mount-- ing of the yoke member'30, only one of the clutch pins 26 or 27 will project from the shaft" 25 into position to engage its cooperating'pin 14 or 15 at a time. A spring 3- 1, arranged in the driving shaft 25, normally engages the clutch pin 26 to m'aintain the pin 26 and consequently the pin27, through the yoke member 30, positively in each position, preventing shifting of the yoke 'member 30 except by the action of the shifter post 16; It will now'be apparent that in this embodimentthe clutch pins 26 and 27 form the driving connection between the driving shaft 25 and the bevel pinions hand 5. These short sturdy clutch pins are well 1 able to withstand any strain connected with such operation,-the yoke member 30 being merely periodically actuated by thes'hifter post 16 to shift the clutch pins 26 and 27 into and out of operative position.

The modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 is similar to that just'described, in that the clutch pins 35 and 36 form the driving c0nnection between the driving shaft 37 v and the bevel pinions 1 and 5. In this'embodiment of my invention the clutch pins 35 and 36 are arrangedin bores extending dietmetrically through the shaft 37, adjacent the inner faces of the bevel pins {Land 5 respectively; The clutch pins :35 and 36 I which are of such a length as tobe disposed completely within the diameter of the driving shaft 2-7 when in the inoperative position are shifted into and-out of operative position by means of a lever 38; 'The lever 38"is pivotally mounted in an'axial slot 89+ extending through the shaft 37 from the clutch pin 35, tofthe clutch pin 36--upon' a transverse pin 10. Lugs tl'and42; extend-- ing radially from the opposite ends of'the shifter post 16 carried byrthe bevel gear 3 116 to swing the lever 38' about its pivot 40,'su bstantially as has been described in connec-' tionwith Figures 1, 2 and3.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a reversingmechanism of simple, inexpensive 1 and substantial construction and this, together with the positiveness of operation secured thereby, are highly important aspects of my invention. The-particular ar- 1 rangement of the gears could be reversed if so desire'd, that is the fixed bevel gear could be provided upon the driving shaft, the bevel pinions meshing therewith in such event being loosely mounted upon the driven shaft.

lVhile-Ihave described nay-invention in connection With the details of particular-embodiments I do not intend thereby to limit the invention to such "details as I amaaware and contemplate that 'modifications and changes may be made Without departing from the invention which is set out in the appended claims:

I claim 7 1. In combination, apair of shafts, a'bevel gear fixed upon one of said shafts, a pair of beveled pinions meshing with said bevel gear and loosely mounted upon the other of said shafts, said-shaft having an axial :slot therein intermediate said beveled PIBiOHS, a

pivoted member in said axial slot, movable clutch members having connection with said pivoted member, and a shifting member car ried by said fixed beveled gear, said shifting member being adapted to periodically co-operate with said pivoted nrenrber to clutch first one and then the other of said beveled pinions to the shaft upon which said pinions are normally, loosely mounted.

2. Incombinat-ion, a pair of shafts,a bevel gear fixed upon one of said shafts, apair of beveled pinions meshing with said bevel gear and loosely mounted upon the other of said shafts, said shaft having an axial slot'therein intermediate said beveled :pinions, a pivoted member in said axial slot, a shifting membercarried by said fixed be vel gear, said pivoted member having means adapted toibe projected radially from said shaft to alternately clutch, said beveled pinions to said shaft, and having means adapted to be projected radially from the'opposite side "of said i shaft to co-operate with said shifting memher to swing said pivoted member about its pivot. I V

3. In combination, a shaft, a bevel gear thereon, a pair of beveled pinions in mesh with said gear, a shaft upon which said beveled pinions are mounted, pivoteddrivingmeane disposedlongitudinally of said latter shaft and driven thereby, said-driving means comprising clutch means for clutching either of said beveled pinions'thereto, and comprisingshifter means circumfer-i ent-ially spaced from said clutch means relative to said latter shaft, and means carried by said bevelgear for periodic-ally engaging said shifter means.

at. In combination, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a pair of beveled pinions loosely mounted on said driving shaft, a bevel gear meshing with said beveled pinions and fixed on said driven shaft, said driving shaft having an axial slot therein intermediate said bevel pinions, an oscillating clutch member pivoted directly in the axial slot in said driving shaft, said clutch member comprising shifter means pro ect1ng outwardly fromsaid slot, and comprising means for effecting clutching engagement -alternately v ith'one and then the other of v 1 noses-1 said beveled pinions and means carried by gear fixed upon one of said shafts, a pair of beveled pinions meshing with said bevel gear and loosely mountedv upon the other of said shafts, clutch pins mounted in said shaft for clutching either of said beveled pinions thereto, a pivoted member for shifting said clutch pins into and out of operative position, and means :carriedby said fixed bevel'gear for periodically co-operating with said pivoted member forsw inging said memher about its pivot to shift said clutch pins alternately into and out of operative position.-

61 In a reversing mechanism, in :combina tion, 'a drive shaft, two driving members-on said shaft, a drivenmechanism operatively connected to each of said driving members for actuation thereby in opposite directions, clutch meansincluding a single lever lying lengthwise of said drive shaft and rpivotal ly supported thereby for rotation about an axis passing therethrough, a transverse pivot pin positioned in said shaiftand passing through said lever, said clutch means operating upon movement of said lever in one direction to clutch-one drive member to the shaft and upon movement in the other direction to clutch the other'drive member to thesshaft, and means carried by said driven mechanism for intermittently engaging said clutch i means to actuate said lever alternately in opposite directions and reverse the direction of motion of said driven mechanism.

7; In atreversing mechanism, in combination, adrive shaft, two driving members on said shaft, a driven mechanism opera-V tively connected to each of. said driving members for actuation thereby in opposite directions, a slot in said shaft between said driving members, a transverse "pintle extend ing across said slot, clutch means including'a leverpivoted on said p1ntle,said p1ntle holding the lever against motion of translation,-

and means carried by said driven mechamsm for intermittently engaging said clutch means to actuate said lever alternately in opposite directions and reverse the direction of motion of said mechanism.

8. In a reversing mechanism, H1 combination, a drive shaft, two driving members'on' said shaft, a driven mechanism 'operatively connected to each of said driving members for actuation thereby in opposite directions, said. driving shaft having a slot adjacent'said driving members, a transverse pintle extending across said slot, clutch meansi'ncludi'ng a lever pivoted on said pintle,. said pintle passing through saidlever, said clutch means operating upon movement of said leverin one direction to clutch one drive member to the shaft and upon movement in the other direction to clutch the other drive member to the shaft, and means carried by said driven mechanism for intermittently engaging said clutch means to actuate said lever alternately in opposite directions and reverse the direction of motion of said driven mechanism, said clutch means and the means carried by the driven mechanism for engaging the same being each in operative position to engage the other means only during a predetermined portion of its path of movement,

one of said means completing its path of movement a fixed number of times While the other means completes a single path, whereby one'of said means will pass through operative position one or more times Without encountering the other before both means come into operative position simultaneously.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my namethis 10th day of March, A. D. 1919.

JOHN A. DIENNER. 

